Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Feb 07 2009

Current Issues

Seattle City Council – 2009 Major Issues:

Committees of the Whole

Special Committee on Open Government

Culture, Civil Rights, Health, and Personnel; Labor Policy

Energy and Technology

Environment, Emergency Management, and Utilities

Finance and Budget

Housing and Economic Development

Parks and Seattle Center

Planning, Land Use, and Neighborhoods

Public Safety, Human Services, and Education

Collaborative Work on Families and Education Levy and Other K-12 Public School Priorities
Revisions to Youth Violence Prevention Initiative
Implementation of Human Services Strategic Implementation Plan/Performance Reporting of Outcomes
Planning and Siting New City Jail
Assessment of Future City Jail Capacity Needs
Review Effectiveness and Efficiency of Municipal Court Operations
Monitor Fire Levy Implementation/Review Site Recommendations
Evaluate Crime Prevention Programs, Including GOTS, CURB, and Co-Stars
Review City Contracting Standards

Transportation

Alaskan Way Viaduct/ Waterfront Planning
Parking Policies
Pedestrian Master Plan
Major Transportation projects – Mercer Street Corridor and Spokane Street Viaduct
Regional Transportation Issues
Sound Transit 2 Implementation/ First Hill Streetcar
Streetcar Planning
Transit/Metro Long Range Transit Plan

Upcoming 2009 Council Actions:

Seattle City Council priorities, organized under three themes:

Foster safe, just and healthy communities for all

Implement a coordinated program to reduce youth violence and increase public safety for all Seattle residents.
Review and decide on a proposal for renewing the Housing Levy.
Make sure that initial neighborhood plan updates are effective and responsive to communities.
Partner with the Seattle School District to strengthen our public schools and ensure that all of our children achieve academic success.
Bring City and community organizations together to reduce hunger and malnutrition in Seattle.

Invest public resources fairly and effectively

Take major steps forward on the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Central Waterfront Public Space Design.
Continue to put people first in any budget revisions, ensuring support for critical human services; make budget decisions through a process that is transparent and accessible to the people of Seattle.
Act to keep City Light an effective organization that uses well-designed and comprehensive strategies for capital projects, operations, and human resources.
Implement new transit opportunities to provide greater access to public transportation, including Sound Transit light rail to the University and Northgate, expanded bus service, and the First Hill streetcar.
Create new ways to make government more accessible and responsive to citizens, and create an online citizen engagement portal.
Manage a tightened budget by using our resources wisely and improving customer service.

Build a livable city for our future

Create a coordinated action strategy for Seattle’s economic recovery.
Implement the Parks for All Levy and ensure that open space and parks are available, accessible, and maintained throughout Seattle.
Support arts and cultural development through a Cultural Overlay District that provides incentives for creating and maintaining cultural facilities.
Revise zoning in key areas of the City where greater height and density will promote the public interest.

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